Daiwa Sports Ltd

The most memorable match for myself has to be winning the "Wychavon" championships in 2004.

The reason why it means so much to me is the fact that it is a very recognised match and something I have been involved with for pretty much all my life.
From a very young age I attended as a spectator, sitting behind some great anglers, for many years wishing I could be fishing as well. After some 15 years spectating, I got my chance to fish. A dream match at Evesham, something myself and my granddad had always wanted.

First year I was nowhere, 2nd year 4th overall, then 3rd time lucky. I drew peg 4 on the boards, a fantastic draw, in with a chance, my grandfather said, "there will be big fish in the area".

I started fishing long with hemp, catching roach and a bonus chub about 10 ozs. Then a message came back, that someone downstream had caught a bonus fish about 4lbs in weight, so it was time to try for a big fish from the area I had been baiting with caster and lobworms.

Then 10 minutes later a bite, this was definitely an eel, which eventually snagged me and broke the 0.20mm line I was using, I thought that was my chance gone.

With about 25 minutes left in the match it was make or break time, so out came the lollypop float again, and I lowered it into my swim at 13 metres. For about 5 minutes I held it stationary, and I recall a slight movement, but before I could acknowledge the bite there must have been 8 metres of black hydro elastic screaming from the pole. All sections of the pole were added on and the battle had begun.

After a nerve wracking 10 minutes or so the submarine shadow appeared on the surface in the middle of the River Avon. As it came to the surface a golden shine came from its back, it was a magnificent barbel. After another couple of minutes, the struggle was over and it was safely in the landing net. As I placed it in my keepnet, a massive cheer went up from the large number of spectators gathered behind me. To be honest I didn't even know they had been there. I looked at Grandad, and the thumbs went up. I had a chance of winning.

I thought the barbel was about 8 lbs, plus I had about 4 lbs of smaller fish. Being one of the last to weigh in I knew that 13 lbs was winning at the time. The scales approached and the moment of truth was here. All the fish were put in the weigh sling and at 15lbs 10ozs it was top weight. The barbel was weighed separately and it took the needle round to 10 lbs 15ozs, so not only a fish of a life time, but a match win that will never be forgotten.

It made all the years of spectating with my Grandad, who unfortunately isn't with us any more, worthwhile …. I owe him a very big thank you!

Rods: Pole ... Tournament Airity. At full length, it's fantastic and a real edge. Rods … Tournament Pro Leger 10/11 (never lets me down, always a dream to use), Tournament Waggler 13/15W (for rivers and smaller fish). Tournament 12W for pellet waggler

Reels: TDR and Airity reels, very smooth and reliable.